Do you live in a city? You've probably noticed how noisy and crowded life in a city can be. What if you could live next to a calm lake instead?
As it turns out, living near bodies of water—lakes, rivers, ponds, even oceans—can help us feel both happier and healthier. Those who live less than a kilometer from the coast are around 22 percent less likely to have mental health problems than those who live 50 kilometers or more away, according to a study by researchers from the University of Exeter, the UK. People who visit the coast at least twice a week tend to experience better general and mental health as well.
So how does "blue space" make us feel better? For one thing, aquatic environments tend to have less pollution and more sunlight, both of which are linked to better mental and physical health. People who get more sun tend to be happier than those who do not.
There's also air above the sea. After spending time near the ocean, you might find that you feel more relaxed than usual. This is because sea air is filled with negative ions(负离子). These ions balance our levels of serotonin(血清素), a chemical that affects our moods. With balanced serotonin levels, we feel more calm and relaxed, according to the Daily Mail.
Finally, people who live near water tend to be more physically active, according to The Guardian. Water sports like swimming and rowing can help us stay in shape, which in turn keeps us healthy.
